Thursday, July 4, 2019

The bad smell, itching and scales are a symptom that you have fungus on your feet, here are the home remedies to eradicate them.

You probably walked in damp places and at the same time you started to feel itchy feet, this caused the smell and you can not eradicate the fungi that live on your feet. Here are the effective home remedies to fight the fungus on your feet.

Sometimes mushrooms develop in the feet due to lack of oxygenation is why it is recommended that when you wear closed shoes do not wear them every day, you must give oxygen so that the mushrooms do not install.

Take note of the following homemade remedies that will help you eliminate the fungus from your feet. Best of all, the ingredients you'll use are in your home cupboard.

White vinegar

You are going to soak a handkerchief of vinegar and with this one you are going to begin to wet your feet, try that you clean little by little your feet with the vinegar, then you wrap them very well letting the vinegar act in your feet.

Lemon with bicarbonate

This remedy is very good for many things, even for the stomach, but it is also very good for eliminating the fungi and bacteria that form on the feet. The first thing you have to do is clean your feet normally, then make the lemon mixture with bicarbonate and you're going to spread it on your feet. Let it work for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

This washing should be done at least twice a day, in the morning and at night.

Garlic and vinegar

Take 5 segments of garlic, peels and liquefied with vinegar, after having washed your feet normally, add this mixture, you have to be careful because it could cause itching, but it is normal, as it is how the garlic and vinegar act.

You will leave this mixture on your feet for 20 minutes, then remove with warm water. It should be done twice a day.

Saturday, January 12, 2019

The traditional Greek diet, formed by history and climatic conditions, meets the main criteria of an optimal diet: it has properties that promote health and is compatible with a sustainable environment.

In simple terms, the traditional Greek regime is based on:

High consumption of olive oil, which in Greece, more than in any other country, is extra virgin;

High consumption of unrefined vegetables, legumes, fruits and cereals;

Preference for fish over meat;

Emphasis on feta cheese and yogurt, instead of other dairy products;

Moderate consumption of wine, especially during meals.

Prototype of the traditional Mediterranean diet

The properties that promote the health of this diet have been documented among many populations, and at different times in history. In the late 1960s, the original work of Ansell Keys (a renowned scientist who studied the impact of diet on health) on the Greek population gave weight to the idea that the traditional Greek diet represents a distinguished prototype of the traditional Mediterranean diet.

The traditional Greek diet has been found to increase longevity and protect against serious diseases, such as coronary heart disease and many types of cancer.

Recent studies have also recognized the Greek diet for its health-promoting attributes. In addition, scientists have shown that there are two factors that play an important role in a healthy diet:

Combination of dietary intakes

High quality food components.

High quality

Greece can rightly be proud of the high quality and supreme taste of many of its food products, including olive oil, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. But they are not only the products that form the most important components of this famous diet. Many traditional Greek recipes and sweets have an impressive array of beneficial properties. The unexpected nutritional properties of many Greek dishes are just now recognized.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Mucus is a substance that helps the stool move through the intestine, but is usually produced in small quantities, barely enough to lubricate the intestine and mix with the stool without being perceived by the naked eye.

So when you get to observe the stool with mucus, usually indicates the presence of an infection or other alteration at the intestinal level as an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome, it is important to see a gastroenterologist for a full evaluation and identify if there is any problem that needs to be treated.

1. Food Intolerance

Food intolerances and allergies, such as sensitivity to lactose or gluten, cause inflammation of the walls of the intestine when food comes in contact with the mucosa, generating an increase in mucus production which can be observed in the stool.

In these cases, other symptoms may arise such as abdominal swelling, diarrhea, red spots on the skin, excess gas or constipation.

What to do: If intolerance to any type of food is suspected, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist for an intolerance test.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when some type of microorganism such as a bacterium or a virus infects the stomach and intestines, causing excess mucus in the stool, intense nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and pain in the belly.

Normally, this type of problem arises due to the consumption of contaminated water or food, but can also occur after prolonged use of antibiotics, as good bacteria are eliminated from the intestinal mucosa, facilitating the development of more harmful ones.

What to do: normally gastroenteritis does not need a specific treatment, just rest at home and drink a large amount of fluids to avoid dehydration caused by diarrhea. In addition to this, food should be light, giving preference to well-cooked foods, cooked vegetables and fruits, and foods low in fat.

3. Irritable bowel

The irritable bowel causes an inflammation of the intestinal mucosa that increases the amount of mucus in the stool. Although it may occur in all cases of irritable bowel syndrome, mucus is more common in people who have long periods of diarrhea.

Other common symptoms of the IBS sufferer are excess gas, abdominal bloating, and periods of diarrhea that alternate with periods of constipation, mainly during periods of high stress or anxiety.

What to do: if there is already a diagnosis of irritable bowel, excess stress should be avoided by taking part in leisure activities, but adequate nutrition should also be provided by avoiding the consumption of irritating foods of the intestinal mucous such as coffee, spicy foods, pepper and foods with a high fat content. If an irritable bowel is suspected, a gastroenterologist should be consulted to assess whether this is really the problem.

4. Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic intestinal disease that causes constant inflammation of the walls of the intestine, causing symptoms such as mucus in the stool, severe abdominal pain, fever, bloody diarrhea, and weakness.

Although there is not yet a specific cause for Crohn's disease, it can arise at any stage of life, especially if there is a decrease in the immune system.

What to do: Treatment for Crohn's disease usually includes changes in eating habits such as controlling the amount of fiber ingested and reducing the amount of fats and dairy products, including their derivatives.

5. Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction occurs when something prevents the passage of stool in the intestine. So the most common causes are hernias, a bowel twist, ingestion of some kind of object, chronic constipation, or even a tumor in the intestine.

In these cases, the mucus is produced in excess to try to push the stool, which ends up not passing and generates other symptoms such as abdominal swelling, severe abdominal pain, excess gas and decreased amount of stool.

What to do: Intestinal obstruction is an emergency that needs to be treated immediately to avoid serious complications such as dilation or rupture of the intestine. So if there is any suspicion of this problem, you should go immediately to the hospital.

6. Anal Fissure

The anal fissure is a relatively common problem, which consists of the presence of a small wound or tear in the mucosa that covers the anal region, being caused mainly by large, hard and dry stools which dilate the sphincter causing injuries. This fissure usually causes symptoms such as diarrhea, pain when evacuating, abdominal pain, bleeding when evacuating, itching around the anus and the stool may present mucus.

What to do: the most important thing in these cases is to maintain adequate intimate hygiene, but sitz baths can also be performed to relieve pain and place healing ointments to heal the fissure more quickly.

7. Ulcerative colitis

This is an intestinal disorder that causes ulcers in the intestine and constant inflammation of the mucosa. So it is common for people with ulcerative colitis to have stool accompanied by blood, pus, or mucus.

Other symptoms that help identify a case of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, skin lesions, and weight loss.

What to do: It is generally recommended to increase fiber intake, through foods such as papaya, lettuce or chickpeas, to increase the volume of stool and make them less hard. In addition to this, it may be necessary to take some medication to relieve abdominal cramps or even diarrhea.

When mucus in the stool can be dangerous

In most cases, mucus in the stool is not a dangerous situation, representing almost always an easy situation to treat. However, if the excess mucus arises associated with other symptoms such as:

Bloody or pussy stools;

Severe abdominal pain;

Exaggerated abdominal swelling;

Constant diarrhea.

It is recommended to go to the hospital or to mark a consultation in the gastroenterologist, since it can be signal of more serious diseases like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and even cancer.

Friday, November 23, 2018

We know that in late fall and winter flu is a very common illness. That's why it's important to know how to protect yourself from the flu. In this article you can learn 20 ways to prevent it.

What is the contagious period of a cold?

The active disease is considered to last up to 7 days, with an incubation period of 3 to 4 days.

How to avoid the flu when it is starting?

Once flu symptoms start there is no way to avoid illness. However, it is very important that you take steps to prevent symptoms from becoming severe or complicated by a bacterial respiratory infection.

The most important thing is to stay hydrated, maintain a good diet. Include vitamin C and zinc supplements. You can also use probiotics.

How to avoid a cold that is starting?

A cold is a viral illness. Viruses have a short cycle in the human body and there are no antiviral drugs for the common cold. Therefore, measures should be taken to strengthen the immune system and prevent symptoms from progressing for a long time: sleep well, eat properly, maintain good hydration, and add some supplement of vitamin C, ginseng, probiotics, or zinc.

Also take care of the people around you in your family group or people close to your work or study and avoid infecting them.

For this we have organized for you 20 effective ways to prevent the flu. Let's get to know them.

1. Avoid alcohol consumption

Drinking alcohol interferes with the quality of your sleep, which increases your chance of getting sick from not getting enough rest.

It is known that drinking alcohol at night can disrupt your REM sleep, paradoxical sleep that is the most repairing part of it.

Drinking a lot of these beverages also affects the functioning of your immune cells, which leaves you prone to developing infectious diseases.(Reference)

2. Clean your spaces inside the gym

Gyms are often places that collect dirt and germs from sweat and sweaty towels. To avoid contact with these microorganisms as much as possible, place a clean towel on the benches before sitting down.

Before grabbing equipment, weights, or other training tools, first clean them with antibacterial towels.

3. Manage your stress

Stress weakens your immune system, making you more likely to catch a cold or the flu than a more serene person (Reference).

4. Clean up your office space

Clean with disinfectant at least once a week, even if it appears to be clean, anything that comes in contact with other people such as the copier keyboard, microwave, elevator buttons and a chair armrest.

Rhinoviruses, responsible for the flu, can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours (Reference).

5. Include enough protein in your diet

Research has concluded that protein-poor diets deplete the immune system (Reference). To avoid this, eat fish, yogurt and eggs, foods rich in protein.

6. Take probiotics

Positive bacteria that keep you healthy and protected from hostile bacteria.

One study found that taking probiotics regularly reduces the incidence of upper respiratory infections, such as cold and flu viruses (Reference).

10. Clean your nose

A daily nasal wash with a syringe helps to eliminate viruses and nasal secretions.

Buy your nasal saline irrigation at any pharmacy or prepare one at home. Mix three teaspoons of iodine-free salt with one teaspoon of baking soda. Then use a teaspoon of this mixture in a cup with water and you're done.

11. Exercise

In addition to boosting your appearance and mood, exercise also improves your immune system by preventing the spread of colds and flu.

One study found that obese and overweight people are more likely to suffer injuries and diseases (Reference)

Exercises don't have to be strenuous, you just have to be on record. Start with routines that you can tolerate for at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week.

12. Get a massage

Getting massages at least once a month helps to get rid of stress and increase circulation, which improves your immune system by nourishing cells with more oxygen and blood.

13. Eat well

A study in older adults found that eating lots of nutrients improves the immune system and helps prevent diseases such as the flu.

14. Get enough sleep

Many studies have found that 8 or more hours of sleep at night is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system. Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep is associated with a decrease in your defenses (Reference).

15. Wash your hands often

The value of hand washing is underestimated, yet it is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of a cold or flu.

A scientific study revealed that young people who washed their hands more frequently had fewer infections with the flu than those who did not (Reference).

16. Eliminates tricks

Biting your nails or sucking on your fingers when you eat makes it easier for germs and viruses to get into your body.

Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, because this is one of the ways germs enter your body and become an upper respiratory infection.

Avoid touching surfaces in public places such as stair railings or sinks in bathrooms because they are full of bacteria. (Reference)

17. Exhale

Exhale gently and slowly as you pass a person who has sneezed or coughed. Do it until you get a few feet away from it. This will prevent you from inhaling the polluted air.

18. Meditate

According to a study by the University of Wisconsin, United States, your mind is capable of reducing the chances of getting the flu by up to 50% (Reference).

The study included 51 people who did meditation exercises. They recorded 13 fewer illnesses and 51 fewer sick days than the control group during a flu season.

This result is probably a consequence of the reduction in the physical effects of stress, which weakens the immune system.

19. Clean the mobile

Your mobile phone can collect more bacteria than a public toilet. So clean it with a sanitizing wipe that eliminates the microorganisms that potentially enter your mouth.

Monday, September 3, 2018

The Pilates ring is a versatile piece of equipment that can be incorporated into many traditional Pilates exercises to make them more challenging for the core. Exercises can be performed for both the arms and legs, and all exercises challenge the core in some way. In the following article I will explain some of the exercises that can be performed to help strengthen and tone the arms and legs.

Firstly for the arm exercises. Many traditional gym exercises can be performed with the Pilates circle. The bicep curl, the most common upper arm strengthening exercise can be done with the circle. The starting position can be either standing or kneeling. Hold onto the ring on either side with your arms straight down in front of you. Apply a moderate to strong force squeezing the circle between your arms. Maintain this squeeze and perform the bicep curl movement. You should feel similar resistance in your biceps as you would when lifting weights doing a dumbel curl.

Another exercise that can be performed with the ring is a isometric pec squeeze. Start off standing or sitting with both arms straight out in front of you. Hold the circle between your outstretched hands and squeeze the end together as hard as you can. As you squeeze you should feel your pectoral muscles working.

The legs can also be exercised using the pilates circle. A great unique exercise to the pilates ring is the modified bridge. Traditionally the bridge exercise targets the gluteal and hamstring muscles. By adding a ring to the exercise the adductor muscles can also be targeted. The starting position is the same as you would with the traditional bridge, lying on your back with feet flat on the floor, knees bent to about 90 degrees. Place the ring between your thighs, just above the knees and squeeze you knees together firmly as you complete the exercise.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Although it seems that a hot chicken soup helps during a flu, there are foods that contain essential nutrients for our defenses. Ingesting them in correct amounts can save us from more than one aversion.

It is well known that what we eat has important and profound effects on our health, from the density of our bones to the performance of our brain. One of the fundamental principles is to provide our immune system with the ability to defend itself against bacterial, fungal and viral attacks. You can follow a "healthy" diet, have a good figure, strong teeth and, at the same time, defenses that defend nothing. Indian physician and researcher Ranjit Chandra of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, published a study describing the relationship between food and our defenses: "Nutrition is a fundamental factor in the immune response, and malnutrition is one of the most common causes of immunodeficiency in the world. "The three nutrients that play a major role in maintaining a good immune system are selenium, zinc and vitamin B6 (although they are not the only ones, for example iron is also involved, but to a lesser extent).

Selenium in nuts, mushrooms and cod

Why are Spanish farmers a bull? Higher genes? Maybe. Another option may refer to this habit of eating garlic as someone who eats pipes, raw and everything. This food is a good source of selenium, a chemical element of the nonmetals group. In a study published in "The Journal of Nutrition" by researcher John R. Arthur and his team, the Rowett Reseach Institute, explains that "selenium has great potential to influence our immune system. But in the scientific world, getting answers inevitably leads to new questions. John Arthur explains that "only when all the functions of selenoproteins are described will we be able to fully understand their role in maintaining optimal immune function. There are many foods (that we love) that are good sources of selenium. Here are some examples from data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):

Garlic It contains 14.2 micrograms per 100 g. One third of the recommended daily amount.

Brazil nuts. These are selenium queens by far. 100 grams contain 1,917 micrograms (or almost the same, 2 milligrams), which is equivalent to 3,485.4% of the recommended daily amount.

All are important, but B6 is fundamental

All nuts are appreciated for their nutritional values, more now that fats have lost that reputation for "bad" they had. Pistachios are distinguished among all nuts, not only for their taste (and price), but also for their high vitamin B6 content. One of its functions is to play an important role in the creation of antibodies. For this reason, as explained in his book "Let's buy lies" José Manuel López Nicolás, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) believes that you can advertise a product containing at least 15% vitamin B6 per day. with slogans like "help your defenses" or "help the immune system". Peppers are one of the kings of this vitamin, specifically a characteristic of Mexico, Chile pasilla (named for its dry, raisin-like appearance), but it is not the only one. 100 grams of these foods will provide us with all the vitamin B6 we need:

Salvia This spice is rich in this nutrient, since it contains 2.69 mg.

Spearmint Typical of some gastronomies... and mojito. It contains 2.58 mg, more than enough for our daily lives.

A scarce and fundamental metal for us

Although with cheaper types starting to arrive from distant shores, oysters have traditionally been exclusive to the larger portfolios. Turns out their flavor and texture aren't the only thing special. It is one of the largest known food sources of zinc. Researcher Pamela J. Faker and her team at Michigan State University in the United States published a study in 2000 looking at the relationship between zinc deficiencies and immune system activity and how it affected the human body to restore normal levels of this micronutrient. "The results of more than three decades of work indicate that zinc deficiency causes a rapid decrease in the response of antibodies and immune system cells," says his research.

This makes it clear that a deficiency of this metal can cause us more than one headache. So much so that, in this study, the researcher says that "a lack of zinc in the diet can lead to an increase in the prevalence of opportunistic infections and mortality rates". To avoid these harmful consequences, we can resort to the following foods (per 100 g):

Raw oysters: contain 39.30 mg of zinc, almost 4 times more than the recommended daily amount.

Veal: it is very rich in this nutrient, containing the ribs, for example, 11.49 milligrams.

Pumpkin seeds. They contain 10.30 mg or, in other words, the total daily requirement.

Sesame flour. They cover our needs with 10.70 mg.

A balanced diet must include everything, not only the 'healthy' foods that cause visible effects in the mirror, but also those that really help us in times of need.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Vitamin C has been shown to increase iron absorption. One study showed that taking 100 mg of vitamin C with a meal increased iron absorption by 67%.

There are both foods that increase the absorption of iron and foods that inhibit its assimilation. Did you know that only a small amount of iron in the diet is actually assimilated? If you have iron deficiency and you are looking to increase its absorption, you are in the right place.

In addition, we remind you that sufficient consumption and proper use of this mineral by our body is essential for a healthy and active life.

What is iron and how much to consume?

Iron is a mineral that intervenes in the formation of hemoglobin, the proteins of muscles and bones and the transport of oxygen to tissues. A lack of iron can cause iron deficiency anaemia, the symptoms of which are: tiredness, palpitations, lack of concentration and paleness of the skin.

Cracks in the lips, headaches, dizziness and weakness in the hair and nails also sometimes appear. The amount of iron that a person should consume will depend on the sex and the physiological stage in which he is.

Generally speaking, women in the fertile stage should consume about 18 mg of iron a day, as well as pregnant women and nursing mothers.

For women over 50 and adult men, the recommendations drop to 10 mg of iron per day.

Types of iron in foods: heme and non-heme iron

Minerals are found naturally in foods that have not been handled. Iron is more easily absorbed from food of animal origin in its form associated with the heme group, in meat and fish where its absorption is 15-25%.

On the other hand, its non-heme form, which is the form coming from vegetable foods such as vegetables, seeds and nuts, is absorbed at a rate of 4-8%. The only non-heme iron food that has an absorption rate of 50% is breast milk.

How to increase iron absorption from foods

Good iron absorption will depend on diet. In this way, some foods improve the body's ability to absorb iron. Among them the following:

1. Foods rich in vitamin C

Vitamin C is good for anemia. When consumed together with foods rich in non-hemo iron, it causes the absorption of iron to increase greatly, between two and three times more.

This is because the action of citric acid reduces iron from its ferric form to its ferrous form which is much easier to absorb. Therefore, by improving iron absorption, we can say that vitamin C is useful in preventing iron deficiency anemia.

Vitamin C has been shown to increase iron absorption. One study showed that taking 100 mg of vitamin C with a meal increased iron absorption by 67%. We found them in:

Foods such as citrus

Green leafy vegetables

Peppers

Melons

Strawberries

2. Foods with vitamin A and beta-carotene

Vitamin A plays a key role in maintaining healthy vision, bone growth and the immune system. Beta-carotene is a pigment found in plants and fruits that can be transformed into vitamin A by the body. Good sources of beta-carotene are:

Carrots.

Sweet potatoes.

Spinach and kale.

Pumpkin.

Red peppers.

Melon.

Apricots, oranges and peaches.

A study of 100 people fed cereals found that the presence of vitamin A increased iron absorption by up to 200% with rice, 80% with wheat, and 140% with corn. However, the addition of beta-carotene increased it by more than 300% when ingesting rice and by 180% in the case of wheat and maize.

3. Meat, fish and poultry

Meat, fish and poultry not only provide iron, but can also stimulate the absorption of non-heme iron. Science indicates that the addition of meat, chicken or fish to a cereal-based meal absorbed 2 to 3 times as much non-heme iron.

On these facts, science estimated that 1 gram of meat, fish or poultry provides a potentiating effect similar to that of 1 mg of vitamin C.

4. Group B Vitamins

B vitamins are also a good way to get the body to absorb more iron. Along with them, folic acid is a great ally, which is why it is highly recommended during pregnancy.

These substances can be found in foods such as whole grains and many varieties of fruits and vegetables. It is a nutrient that should not be missing in our diet, and not only because it is a good iron fixer, but to help us maintain tissues in perfect condition.

Finally, for a correct absorption of iron we must know how to combine them with foods that enhance their effects through a balanced and varied diet.

Monday, March 5, 2018

While this recipe is probably fairly similar to what you may do on a traditional burger. Because ground turkey often contains less fat than ground beef you want to make sure not to overcook the burger as it is easier to dry out than beef. You will however want to make sure to that the inside is cooked through because it is poultry after all and you want to eat a safe burger. I believe 160 degrees is the temperature but I do not check with a thermometer, after a while you can just tell when they are done. I hope you enjoy it. Keep your eye out for other unique and interesting burger ideas to try.

Ingredients

1 pound of ground turkey

4 whole-grain buns

4 tablespoons of seasoned breadcrumbs

tablespoons of onion (diced)

2 tablespoons of parsley (chopped)

4 slices of tomato

4 slices of red onion

2 lettuce leaves (halved)

1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce

4 tablespoons of ketchup

Salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

To begin on your grilled turkey burger recipe, use a large bowl to mix together the ground turkey, seasoned bread crumbs, parsley, chopped onion, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. My wife prefers fresh bread crumbs although I like them dry. Mix well and divide the mixture into four equal portions. Form these portions into patties.

Use a charcoal grill to prepare a hot fire. Alternatively, you can use a gas grill which is how I often do it. If you have a George Foreman grill - even better.

Lightly coat your cooking surface with Pam or a similar spray, away from your heat source. Place your cooking rack about five inches away from the heat.

Next, grill your burgers until they are browned well on both sides. I normally do mine for about seven minutes on each side to ensure that they are heated through.

You may then serve your turkey burgers on buns topped with one slice of tomato, onion, half a lettuce leaf, along with a dollop of ketchup. If you feel that you require more enhancements, you may add a 1/2 cup of finely chopped red bell pepper like my wife does.

Friday, January 19, 2018

When I was in my early 20's I was diagnosed with Graves Disease or Hyperthyroidism. This diagnoses took three different doctors to figure out why my energy was so low and why I was gaining weight even though I ate like a bird. I was so uncomfortable with myself and probably wasn't thinking very well either. Thankfully, while getting a pap smear a nurse recognized my problem and sent me to an Internal Medical Doctor. I was given three options to get healthy.

Cut out my enlarged thyroid

Have radiation treatments

Take a little white pill with a long name

I chose the little white pill and managed to get well through sheer will. However, Two years passed before I totally felt myself again and was told because of the type of condition I had, there was a 50/50 chance I would relive this disease. Then and there, I started learning about a more natural way to stay healthy.

I believe stress was a major player on why I contracted this disease in the first place. I was in an abusive marriage and working for a very toxic company. But, I did heal or so I thought. Throughout the years, I have had lots of PMS. Nothing too severe but I never did have regular menstrual cycles and I believe it had to do with the condition of my thyroid. I started a regime of vitamins, bodywork, (massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu- form of acupressure) soaking in hot springs, etc. All this helped tremendously.

However, about 3 years ago, my upper lip started swelling and I wasn't even injecting Botox! My poor lip did not feel good at all. Fortunately, I found Chia Seeds through Mike Adam's newsletter on natural news and ordered a package. Within a few weeks, my top lip normalized and I was able to apply lipstick again without my lip burning. But, other benefits emerged from taking this tiny seed that I never would have imagined. My complexion cleared, my energy levels stabilized and my appetite leveled off.

Below, I describe even more benefits of this forgotten food. Perhaps, it can help you also on your path to wellness.

Chia seeds contain more than 60% Omega-3 fatty acids and have the highest percentage of Omega-3 of any commercially available source, according to Dr. Wayne Coats, perhaps the world's foremost educator on Chia seeds.

Remember Chia pets? This is the same material, only you won't be growing a plant. I only ask you to soak the seeds in water and watch them swell. The seeds are tasteless and odorless and therefore won't go rancid, are easy to store, easy to use, and are not contaminated with pesticides, chemicals or heavy metals. Add one tablespoon chia into an eight-ounce glass of water or juice, let sit about five minutes, stir, and drink. Chia turns into a gel, which can be added to jams, jellies, peanut butter, milkshakes, nut spreads, smoothies, hot or cold cereals, yogurt, mustard, catsup, tartar sauce, barbecue sauces or anything else you can think of.

This is an ancient food source recently rediscovered that was known for its endurance. "Chia" is the Mayan word for strength. Chia seeds had been a staple for the American Native people for centuries (long before the Chia Pet hit the market). The Aztecs considered it to be extremely valuable for healing - from cleaning the eyes to helping heal wounds, topically, to relieving joint pain and so on. Aztec warriors would eat chia during hunting trips, and the Indians of the Southwest would eat only chia seed mixed with water as they ran from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean to trade products.

These tiny black seeds contain large amounts of B vitamins and calcium. In roughly two ounces of chia (100 grams), there are 600 milligrams of calcium, contrasted with 120 milligrams of calcium in the same amount of milk. That's five times as much calcium than milk!

Chia also contains boron which aids in the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus for bones and muscle growth. Since our nation's soil is so boron depleted, we simply are not getting enough of this mineral in our daily diets. Boron also can increase the levels of natural estrogen.

Chia seeds gel-forming property is a dieter's dream because the seeds slows digestion and sustains balanced blood sugar levels, which can be helpful in preventing or controlling Diabetes. Water-soaked chia seeds are easily digested which results in rapid transport of chia nutrients to the tissues for use by the cells.

For the dieter, this means feeling full with no more peaks and valleys in blood sugar levels. Because the Chia seed produces a thick mucilage in water, it absorbs up to 30 times its weight in water. This means that once its in the body, debris from the intestinal walls flakes off to be eliminated efficiently and regularly. A daily dose of chia seed provides an excellent fiber source and most people notice a different in less than a week.

More Reasons to Eat Chia

2 times the protein of any other seed or grain

2 times the amount of potassium as bananas

3 times the reported antioxidant strength of blueberries

3 times more iron than spinach

One woman reportedly manages her Acid Reflux with chia because of the highly absorbent properties. She swallows a Tsp of dry seeds with just a little water. Then drinks a glass of water a few minutes later, so the seeds can do their job of absorbing the acid in her stomach. It is necessary to drink enough water after taking the chia because if there isn't enough liquid in your stomach, the seed will draw from the tissues instead. By allowing the seeds to first absorb the acid and drinking more water, this woman is able to very simply, effectively and cheaply handle her condition.

I've been incorporating at least two tablespoons of chia seed into my diet everyday. The gray in my hair has diminished and the original color is resurfacing, I no longer have numbness in my fingers when I wake up in the middle of the night, my fingernails are noticeably harder and aren't chipping or breaking any longer, the swelling of my top lip is no longer an issue and I am not experiencing any hot flash symptoms. Need I say more?

Other medical conditions Chia Seeds may relieve:

Celiac disease

Depression

Headaches - Are you tired of those constant migraines?

Heart Attacks

IBS

Lowers cholesterol - no cholesterol

Lyme Disease

High blood pressure

Panic Attacks

Chia is a valuable nutrient for your pets too! This tiny black seed isn't just for people; dogs, cats and even horses will benefit by the elements found in this seed. I can attest to that. My 11 year tabby cat has had an intestinal problem since she was young, but since I have been adding 1/4 teaspoon mixed into her food, she no longer vomits after every meal. Which is nice to not have to clean up.

Isn't it time to introduce Chia seeds into your diet for a healthier you? Your local health food store may carry Chia Seeds however, I found them less expensive online.

And one more note about Chia Pets. Even though Chia seeds are too sticky for conventional sprouting jars, they do sprout very easily when spread out on earthenware. The Mexicans have long made earthenware in the shapes of Chia Pets, and yes, you can eat the sprouts that grow on the Chia Pet. They taste like watercress (but better), and are full of vitamins and minerals, just like the seeds.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Are you about to reach 40 and you’re worried about whether you need to make significant changes to your life?

Age shouldn’t be an impediment or a motive to care for your body. For precisely this reason, you should always care for yourself. However, there are a few changes you should make to your diet once your reach 40.

After 40, not only is it more difficult to lose weight, but also certain health problems can start that you need to control.

Today, we’ve prepared a list of the changes you should make. (Don’t worry; they’re simple!)

1. Increase your calcium intake

Due to the fact that your production of estrogen reduces after age 40, your bones will have greater difficulty in absorbing calcium from food.

The problem with this is that it increases your risk of suffering from osteoporosis and fractures that could have consequences for the future.

The ideal scenario is to ingest around 1000 milligrams of calcium a day.

Some options to get it include:

Cheese, which contain between 470 and 850 milligrams of calcium in a 100 gram piece (depending on the type of cheese). Remember, however, that when including it in your meals you should avoid adding more fats.

Almonds, which provide 250 milligrams of calcium in 100 grams of almonds. It is important not to consume almonds excessively, because they are high in carbohydrates and fats.

Yogurt. 100 grams of yogurt gives you between 127 and 180 milligrams of calcium. When it comes to choosing your yogurt, go for a natural one that’s as free as possible from sweeteners. Another good alternative is to make your own yogurt at home. This will enable you to make it in different ways and with different flavors.

2. Eat more protein

When you reach 40, you also need to increase your protein intake, because our muscle mass decreases as we grow older. This means that you can lose weight without wanting to, leaving room for more fat to accumulate.Ideally, you should include around 30 grams of protein in each meal.

The best options are:

Soy, which contains 37 grams of protein per 100 grams. The ideal option is to eat the bean itself, but if you don’t like it or you can’t get it, try tofu or soy milk.

Pine nuts, which provide 14 grams of protein in every 100 grams. However, avoid eating large quantities of pine nuts at once because they are high in fats.

Chicken. We get 30 grams of protein from every 100 grams of skinless lean chicken. The best way to eat it is in meals with vegetables and the least amount of fat possible.

3. Reduce your sodium intake

Inflammation and bloating is a common problem upon reaching your forties and during the menopause. To reduce how often and how seriously this happens, it is a good idea to eat little sodium.

The easiest way to achieve this is to reduce your salt intake. If you’ve already reduced your use of salt in cooking and inflammation continues to be a problem, check the labels of the products you tend to eat.

The majority contain sodium among their ingredients, so you should seek out healthier options or reduce the portions you eat.

Pay special attention to the nutritional information label. There, you can see the quantity of sodium that the product contains per portion and the weight of a portion.

4. Add more antioxidants to your diet

You’ve probably already heard a lot about the benefits of antioxidants in the body.

When you reach 40, you’ll start to experience problems related to aging, like skin problems and clicking joints.

To reduce the problem, try to include:

Peppers

Blackberries

Broccoli

Strawberries

Green tea

Dark chocolate

5. Monitor your vitamin B12 intake

When you reach 40, your body starts to have nerve problems and problems with blood cell production. These two situations are reversed with the consumption of enough vitamin B12.

An adult requires around 2.4 micrograms of this vitamin per day, and you can get it from dairy products, fish and eggs.

Other changes you should make when you reach 40

As well as your diet, it’s also important to improve your lifestyle to ensure that the efforts you make with your diet reap rewards.

The main changes are:

Make changes to your exercise plan to adapt it to the characteristics of your body. If you’ve noticed joint problems, choose more gentle exercises.

Have a medical check-up every 6 months. If you’ve always had good health you might not visit your doctor very often. When you reach 40, it’s important to do so more often to rule out the appearance of diseases.

Exercise often. Keep moving as much as you can. Even just a short walk or getting up and stretching a bit counts!

Do you already have these habits or do you need to adopt some into your life?